Well point



Nov. 23, 1937.

T. F. MooRE WELL POINT Filed Aug. 6, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1110: HMP

T. F. MOORE WEL;J POINT Nov. 23, 1937.

Filed Aug. 6, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TIEMooRE Patented Nov. 213,.k 1937 UNITED sTA'rss smear OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention appertains to apparatus for facilitating and effecting the withdrawal of fluids froms the soil, and more particularly, to whatvis commonly known as a Well point which is primarily adapted to be sunk into the earth in dewatering or dehydrating the soil. The sinking of the well point is preferably accomplished in the usual manner, as by forcing a jetting fluid stream c through the well point at relatively high velocity and pressure, which, by its impinging action on the underlying soil, produces an erosion of the soil which allows the well point to gradually sink to the desired depth. When the well point has 4attained the necessary depth, extending into the stratum from which the water or other fluid, as the case may be, is to be removed, the jetting action is discontinued, and by the application of a suction action on the well point, through means of any suitable suction-producing instrumentality, such as a vacuum pump, the water is withdrawn through the well point to the surface, where it can be disposed of in any appropriate manner.

In order to prevent, as effectively as is practical,r grit, sand and other foreign matter from beingdrawn into the well point, and to avoid the deleterious action of these materials on the pumpingr apparatus during the suction action, the water is preferably ltered by suitable filtering means as it passes into the well point.

For insuring the effectiveness of the jettingand-suction actions, valve means are provided in the well point, said valve means being so arranged as to prevent the jetting fluid from escaping outwardly through the filtering means during the letting operation, while permitting the jetting fluid to pass through the Well point so that it is discharged through the tip of the well point with its full force exerted onto the soil below the well point. During the suction action, the valve means serve to close the passage through the tip of the well point, thereby preventing dirty water and foreign materials from being drawn upwardly into the well point, While permitting the water to be drawn in through the filtering means. The

l :valve means are preferably automatically opvalve assembly which completely eliminates thev use of springs and the attending failures resulting from the weakening of the springs and their occasional breakage, while at the same time, being so constructed and arranged as to provide a substantially straight, unobstructed, axial passage through the well point from end to end when the valves assume their operative positions in the jetting operation.

A further object ofthe invention is to pro# vide a self-closing valve of the oat type which is more durable and ecient than those which formerly have been employed.`

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved valve frame having a unitary construction, and which is of such form as to permit the use of a well point of smaller diameter than formerly, to obtain the same volume of water discharge during the jetting action, under comparable conditions.

Still another object of the invention is to pro vide a new and improved well point tip which is of simple, inexpensive, rugged and efficient construction, and constituting a combination valve assembly and soil piercing means.

A still further object of the invention is to pro-v vide an" improved float valve assembly, said assembly embodying a frame adapted to be inserted into the lower end of the lower head 0f the well point and constituting a skeleton cage in which is located a ball oat valve, the cage being of such construction as to allow the free passage of the jetting fluid past the ball during the jetting operation, and the ball being so supported in the cage during the jetting operation as to prevent vibration thereof and consequent damage to the ball and/or its seat.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure l is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a well point constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure l2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the well point, taken approximately on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are respectively, transverse sectional views on the lines 3-3, 4 4 and 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a detail view in side elevation of the outer shell or lower head of the well point;

Figure 7 is a detail View in side elevation of the combination valve frame and soil-piercing means constituting an insert unit adapted to be received in the shell of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional View through tubular form of any suitable length, and prefervably having a substantially uniform external diameter from end to end to enable it "to be more readily sunk endwise into the soil, so that when brought to the required depth, the fluid in the soil may be withdrawn through the well point by some suitable suction device (not shown) connected with the upper end of the well point.

In V4general, the well point comprises an upper head I, a lower head or shell 2, these heads being spaced apart axially any desired distance, and an inner coaxial jetting-and-suction pipe or conduit 3 extending between the heads'and having'its opposite ends respectively projecting into the same..

A tubularltering screen, designated 4, surrounds the pipe Aitin radially spaced concentric relation thereto to form an intervening filtrate chamber 5 for receiving the water or other fluid as the same passes through the filtering screen 4 and into the well point in withdrawing the fluid from the soil.

Spacing rods or bars 6 maintain the filtering screen 4 in radially spaced relation'to the conduit Y 3, there preferably being -a plurality ofV these rods arranged in uniformly spaced relation around the conduit 3, and xed thereto, as by welding; The

rods also serve to reinforce the screen and prevent the same from being crushed inwardly, while affording unobstructed passages between the rods through which the uid may pass downwardly about the outer surface of the conduit 3, on itsV although other Yforms of filtering instrumentali-V ties may be substituted in lieu thereof if desired. As disclosed in my application just referred to, the ltering screen is preferably tubular in form and composed of several laminae arranged one upon the other. The inner layer 1 and the outer layer 8 are preferably made continuous and of comparatively heavy wires interwoven to form-a relatively coarse mesh, the screen being wound aboutV the rods Seo as to extend slightly more than two complete turns thereaboutv so that its ends `mayV overlap, as best seen in Figure 3. The other layer, S, is approximately one-half of the length of the continuous layers 1 and-8, and'is interposed between the layers 'I and 8 and extends slightly more than a single turn aboutthe rods 6, as also seen in Figure 3. This layer 9 is preferably rcomposed of wires of comparatively small gauge'interwoven to form a relatively fine mesh. "Ihearrangement of the turns of the lter screen and the manner in which they are secured in position is more fully disclosed in my prior application, to which reference may be had for a more complete understanding thereof. :inasmuch as I make no'claim herein to the details of the filtering screen, further description thereof is unnecessary. It will be clear, however, that the coarser mesh layers 'I-and 8 cover respectively, the outer and inner surfaces of the ner mershlayer 9, to protect the'latter against injury by contact with the rods 6 and with the soil, and at the same time, the screens, particularly the fine mesh layer, filter the fluid as it passes from the adjacent soil into the well point, to the exclusion of the solids, VSuch an arrangement also prevents the fine layer from becoming clogged as readily during sinking of the well point as would be the case were this screen directly exposed to the soil, inasmuch as the outer coarse mesh layer displaces the contiguous soil as the well point de- Moreoven'the inner coarse layer 'I pro- Y vides a foraminous support for the intermediate scencls.

No. 78,460, iiled May 5, i936, to which Yreference VVsunk into the ground and wthdrawn without offering any material resistance to axial movement of the well point, as would otherwise be the case where the joints form projections on the outer surface of the well point. The upper end of the head I is adapted to be connected with an extension pipe I3, as by the vthreadedconnectionV I4, and the shoulder I I -forrns a seat limiting the extent of entrance of the pipe I3 into the head. This pipe IS may be of any desired lengthand is'adaptedV to be connected at its upper end to a fluid pressure pump (not shown) or other source of fluid supply from which the jetting fluid may be convenientlyobtained. Also, it is adapted `to be connected to the suction device previously referred to, for withdrawing the fluid Y from the soil.

The lower head or Vshell 2, according to the constructionl disclosedV in my prior application Ser. No. '78,460 above referred to, comprises a tubular shell or pipe ployed, and this pipe i5 is of uniform internal and external diameter throughout its length. The upper portion of the pipe I5is adapted to it snugly about the lower end of a short pipe section IS, and is preferably secured to the latter, as by welding.Y The upper end face IIV of the pipe I5 provides a shoulder similar to the shoulder I2 on the upper head II., and the lower edge of the filter screen unit 4 abuts the shoulder II and likewise forms a smooth joint at this point. The'pipe section I6 extends upwardly slightly beyond the upper extremity ofthe shell I5, Yand fits snugly within the tubular lter'unit 4,'as best seen in Figure 2.v Such an arrangement greatly reduces the cost of the well point, and considerably simplies its manufacture and fabrication. l

The spacing rods 6 are preferably cylindrical and are arranged in uniformly circurnferentiallyY riey, the upper head I is pro-Y !5, instead of the usualV heavy casting heretofore most commonly emthe same level as the-lower edge 2.! `of the `inner conduit 3. 1n other words, the lower ends of the pipe I6, the rods E and the inner conduit 3, all terminate in the same plane transversely through the lower head 2, which is an important feature of my last mentioned copending application, and as will hereinafter become more apparent as this description proceeds.

The lower ends of the rods 5 are machined down, as at 22, to provide recesses, as best seen in Figures 2 and 4, for receiving thereinthe pipe I6. The depth of the recesses 22 is preferably substantially equal to the thicknesss of the pipe i6, so that the outer surface of the latter will be flush with the outermost surfaces of the rods 6, when the parts of the well point are assembled, as can be best seen in Figure 2. VThe pipe i6 is preferably secured to the rods 5, as by welding, thereby uniting the lower head 2 with the parts of the well point located above the same, and affording a more or less unitary and rigid structure.

Passing now to my improved valve assembly, which forms the principal feature of my present invention, have provided a valve frame insert, generally designated 23, which may be formed as a simple casting, or otherwise, and which is adapted to be received in the lower extremity or tip of the pipe l5 which constitutes the lower head or shell 2. This valve frame is preferably machined so as to fit snugly in the lower end of the pipe i5, and as illustrated, the frame includes an upper ring-shaped valve seat 2li, having an upwardly flaring opening 25 extending axially therethrough, and a lower-tubular pilot member 26, axially spaced below the seat 24, and integrally united therewith by means of the web-like connecting arms 2l, there being one arm at each side, as best seen in Figures 5 and 7. The pilot 25 has its lower extremity serrated or toothed, as at 28, and constitutes soil piercing means. The frame 23 is secured in the lower head 2 so that the upper extremity of the frame is spaced below the lower extremities 25, l5 and 2l of the pipe I6, rod 6 and conduit 3, respectively, thereby providing an intervening chamber 23, with which the filtrate chamber 5 and the conduit 3 are respectively adapted to communicate, as willl here'- inafter more fully appear. For securing the frame 23 in the position just described, I employ a transversely extending pin or rivet 35, which is adapted to extend through suitable openings 35 and 3u respectively formed in the shell l5 and the valve frame 23. It is important to note that this member 30 does not extendexactly diametrically through the head 2, but on the contrary, is offset slightly to one side of the diameter, for a reason which will later become more apparent. By virtue of the fact that the ring-like valve seat 24 and the pilot member 23 are connected together by the relatively narrow arms 2l, there are provided at each side of the frame comparatively large cut-outs, and the frame may be said to be in the nature of a skeleton frame.

Mounted in the chamber 29, and interposed between the upper .face 3l of the seat 24 and the lower extremities of the pipe IS, rods 5 and conduit 3, which latter members constitute a valve seat, is a ring-like valve 32. The valve 32 is preferably made of metal or some other hard and inelastic material which is capable of resisting Wear during operation thereof. An opening 33 extends through the ring valve and is of a size approximately equal to the internal diameter of the conduit 3, but less than the diameter of the upper end of the opening 25 in the valve seat 24.' The valve 32 thus overhangs the opening 25 in the seat 24, as best seen in` Figure 2, so that during' the jetting operation, the back pressure of the jetting fluid acts upon thelower face of vthe overhanging portion 34 of the ring, and causes the valve 32 to be forced upwardly to the dotted line position `shown in Figure 2, against the seat formed by the lower faces 20, i9 and 2i of the pipe l5, rods 5 and conduit 3, consequently closing the lower end of the filtrate chamber 5 and preventing the letting fluid from passing upwardly through the filtrate chamber and out through the iilter unit 4. When the filtrate chamber is closed by the ring valve 32, as just described, the jetting fluid must pass through the opening 33 in the valve, and thence downwardly through the opening 25 rin the valve seat 24, and thence down-- wardly through the frame unit and out at the bottom of the well point. When the jetting operation is discontinue-d, the ring valve 32 will fall of its .own weight to the bottom of the chamber 2S, until it comes to rest on the upper face 3l of the Seat 24, where it remains during the suction action. In other words, the valve 32 assumes its uppermost position, closing the filtrate chamber, only during the jetting action. If the filtrate chamber were not closed during the jetting operation, the j etting fluid, or at least a portion thereof, wo-uld escape from the well point, out throughthe filter screen 4, and a considerable portion of the force of the jetting fluid would be lost .in-sofar as the erosive action of the jetting fluid on the underlying soil is concerned. However, by reason of the automatic operation of the valve 52 to close off the lower end of the ltrate chamberresponsive to the action of the jetting fluid on the valve during the jetting operation, the full force of the jetting iiuid is obtained at the lower end of the well point where it is most desired to erode the soil for the purpose of sinking the well point.

Mounted within the cage of the frame unit 23, that is, between the rivet 3!) and the seat 24, is a ball float valve 35 which acts as a check valve, as will hereinafter become more apparent. This valve 35 is preferably composed of a wood center 35' or some equivalent material having a'specirlc gravity which will cause the valve tofloat in the fluid which is to be withdrawn from the soil, and

the center or core is covered with an outer covering of rubber 35, or some other equivalent resilient material. I have found that by covering the wood core 35 with the rubber covering 35", the valve 35 is considerably more durable than a plain uncovered wood ball which is subject to fracture and chipping off, by reason of the repeated impacts of the ball against its seat. Should a plain wood ball be used, and become worn or chipped, it would soon lose its effectiveness because of its inability to t closely against the seat, thereby allowing fluid to leak past the Valve during the suction operation. According to my present construction of the ball valve 35, leakage of the valve is practically eliminated. When thevalve 35 is buoyed up by the fluid standing in the lower end of the well point after the 'well point has been sunk into the soil, it assumes the full line position shown in Figure 2, and during the suction action, the valve is further urged firmly against itsI seat 36 formed by the lower edge of ther opening 25'in the seat member 24,

thereby positively preventing the dirtyzfluid and any foreign material, such as sand, grit, stones,

andthe like, from being suckedr up into, the well4 point. Y l

During the jetting operation, the downward pressure of the jetting fluid on the ball 'valve 35 forces the valve 35 downwardly away from Aits Y seat 3S and to the dotted line positionY shown in- Figure 2,7therebyV opening the passage yso that the jetting fluid can pass downwardly through the tipV of the well point and discharge atthe ex-V treme lower end. The downward movement of the valve .35 is limited by the rivet V3i), and it will be observed that when the valve is in its open position, it lies towards one side ofY the longitudinal Vaxis of the well point, leaving ampleclear-V ance for the jetting ilui'd to pass. by the valve without offering any substantial obstruction to the flow. Since the rivet is offset ton one sideY of the diameter of the well point, as best seen in Figures 2 and 5, the ball Valve 35 tends to rest in the largest space between theY rivet 30 and the side of the well point head, where itV remainsuntil Ythe jetting operation is discontinued Moreover, the skeleton construction of the cage, aorded by the openings 3l in the side walls of the frame unit 23 at opposite sides of the axis of the rivet 30,

allows the ball to assume a greater laterally j displaced position than would be thercasev if the Y walls of the frame unit 23 were continuous all the way around the circumference.V The opening at the other side of the unit increases the clearance between the ball and the side of the well point, and further adds to the clearance around' Ythe ball for the free passage of the jetting fluid downwardly past the ball.

-Now the offsetting of the pin or'rivet 39 Vfrom', the diameter of therwell poi-nt has the further advantage of eliminating vibration orroscillationof the ball valveV 3.5 during the jetting operation.

I have found that if the pin 39'were arrangedV diametrically through the head, the pressure of the jetting uid on the Vball tends to start the ball vibrating or bouncing up and down, or oscillating vfrom one side of the pin to the other, with the resuit that the ball will soon become damaged to such an extent'as to preventitsclosingv completely during the suction operation. As a matter of fact, i

the vibrations or oscillations, 'if permitted'may even split the rubber covering 35 and then split the wood center 35', which, of course, would render the valve 35 completely inoperative.

the ba-, Yto lodge in the, larger space at one side of the rivet until the jetting` action is completed.

It will be observed that the lower end of the. unit 23 is provided with a shoulder 33 which ts up against the lower eXtrem-ity of the pipe l5,

which constitutes the lower shell or head 2, and V eration, suction Ycanbe applied to the well point" for withdrawing the water from the soil', ,which is allowed to; enter through the lter screens 4 and pass downwardly through the filtrate cham-1 TheY offsetting of the .pin `or rivet 33 overcomes theseY diiculties entirely, and at the same time, allows.

Vber 5 into the chamber 39 and thence upwardly through the inner conduit 3.

In Figures 8 and 9, there is shown a slightly modied form of valve assembly in'which a spring actuated self-'closing Vflap valve 39 is substituted for ,the ball valve 35 shown in the previously de- Vscribed form. j The valve frame 23 is practically identical with that shown in Figures 2 and 7 with Vthe exception that thel seat member 2li-is provided on its underside with downwardly extending lugs or earsY 40 .which serveV to receive the hinge Ypin or pintle 4I, upon which the ap valve 33 isV mounted. The Vspring 42 encircles the pin 4l and hasoneV end 43 anchored tothe seat 24, and the other end 44 bearing againstY the underside of the valve 39. The spring is tensioned so as to normally urge the valve 39 closed to its full line position shown inFigures 8 and 9. When the jetting operationl is commenced, the downward Vpressure'fof the jetting'fluid on the upper side of the valve 39 forces the Valve to its Vdotted line position shown in Figure, thereby permitting free and unobstructed passage of the jetting fluid past the valve and out at the lower end of the.

lower end resting upon the ground at the pointYY where it Visrto be sunk, and its upper end is con-V nected to a pressure pump or other source of supply of the jetting fluid, such as water. The jetting uid'is forced downwardly through the Vwell point, passing throughthe Yconduit 3 and into the chamber 29, thence through the openingl 33 in the ring valve 32, thence through the opening 25 in the seat member 274, thereby forcingv the ballV valve 35 or the flap valve 39, as the case may be, open to allow the uid to continue itsrsubstantiallyunobstructed ow downwardly to the eXtreme lower end of the well point. As the Vjetting fluid impinges against the underlying soil, a back pressure is created'acting upon the underside of the overhanging portion 34 of the ring valve 32, causingV the ring valve to be lifted to its dotted line position shown in Figures 2 and'8, thus'closing Y off the ltrate chamber 5 and preventing the escape of the jetting iiuidV laterally outwardly through the filter screens 4, and `causing the full force of the jetting iiuid tombe directed against the underlying soil for displacing Vthe same to cause the well point to sink. During this jetting operation, the sinking of the well point may be aided by a rotary or oscillating motion of the well point Yabout its vertical axis. Y

The sinking operation is preferably continued until the Yentire length or major portion of the tubular screen 4 is brought to the level at'which the fluid in the soil is to be drained. So long as the jetting operation continues, the ball valve 35 or the flap valve 39 will remain in an open position, and the ring valve 32 will Yremain its position closing or blocking the ltrate chamber. When the well point has been sunk to the required depth, the jetting iluid is shut off, thus permitting the ball valve 35 to close against its seat by otation, or the ap valve to Yclose against its vseat by the action of the spring 42, andthe ring Y'valve 32 will drop to the bottom of the chamber 29 by its own weight, thus openingthe ltrate chamber.Y Then by the application of suctionrto Vthe-,well

point through any suitable suction device, the uid in the soil is caused to be drawn into the well point through the filter screens d, and the fluid passes downwardly through the filtrate chamber into the chamber 2S and thence upwardly through the inner conduit 3. The suction action aids in holdingfthe ball valve 35 or the iiap valve 39- closed so long as this suction operation continues, and

, by reason of the fact that these valves remain closed throughout the suction period, the entire suction force may be directed to the withdrawal of the uid from the soil, leaving the lower part of the well point below these valves free from the influence of the suction action, and eliminating the'tendency for dirty fluid Vand foreign, sube stances to be drawn upwardly into the well point through the lower end, The operations of the valves are entirely automatic and the partsof the well point require little if any carev or attention, thus materially contributing to the economic and expeditious sinking ofthe well point into the soil and removal of iiuid from the soil.

In case the area of the soil to be drained is relatively large, a number of well points may be similarly sunk in or around said area and connected to a common source of Vsupply of jetting fluid so that all of vthem may be sunk simultaneously or in quick succession. Similarly, the well points may be connected to the same suction device for removing the fluid from the soil in one operation.

While the specific details have been herein shown and'described, the invention is not confined thereto, as changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. In a well point, a jetting and suction conduit, a foraminous filter surrounding said conduit in radially spaced relation thereto and forming an intervening iiltrate chamber normally communicating with the lower end of said conduit, valve means actuatable by the influx of jetting uid whereby to prevent the jetting fiuid from entering the filtrate chamber and escaping outwardly throughr the foraminous filter, a tubular shell surrounding the lower extremity of the jetting and suction conduity and extended downwardly beyond the lower end thereof whereby to constitute a lower head for the well point, a valve seat disposed in said lower head and spaced below the lower extremity of the jetting and' suction conduitfa float valve coacting with said valve seat and being free to move axially and laterally within the head aforesaid, responsive to the influx of jetting iiuid, andV means for limiting the axial movement of said float valve and also for displacing said float valve laterally towards one side of the head pursuant to the passage of jetting fluid through the well point, whereby to provide a substantially unobstructed space for the passage of the jetting uid past the float valve and through the head.

2. In a well point, a jetting and suction conduit, a foraminous filter surrounding said con duit in radially spaced relation thereto and forming an intervening filtrate chamber normally communicating with the lower end of said con- A duit, valve means actuatable by the inux of jetjetting and suction conduit and extended downwardly beyond the lower end thereof whereby to constitute a lower head for the well point, a valve seat disposed in said lower head and spaced below the lower extremity of the jetting and suc'- tion conduit, a float valve coacting with said valve seat and being free to move axially and laterally within the head aforesaid, responsive to the influx of jetting fluid, and means for limiting the axial movement of said float valverand also for displacing said float valve laterally towards one side of the head pursuant to the passage of jetting fluid through the well point, whereby to provide a substantially unobstructed space for the passage of the jetting uid past the float valve and through the head, said last named means comprising a member extending transversely across the space within the head and below the float valve, and said member being offset to one side of the axis of the head.

3. In a well point, a jetting and suction conduit, a tubular head surroundingthe lower extremity of said jetting and suction conduit'and extended below the same, a valve seat disposed within the head in axially spaced relation to the lower end of the conduit, a float valve disposed below said seat within said head and free to move axially and laterally within said head, and means for limiting the axialA movement of said oat Valve and for displacing said float valve laterally towards one side of said head respon` sive to the passage of a jetting fluid through the conduit and head, said means comprising a member disposed transversely within said head and engageable'by the oat valve, and said member being offset'to one side of the axis of the head.

4. A valve assembly unit for well points, comprising a tubular frame having an axial passage therethrough and having openings in opposite sides thereof which extend substantially about the frame so as to provide relatively narrow web-like arms, one at each side of the frame, which serve to unite the upper and lower portions of the frame, the upper portion of the vframe constituting a valve seat, a iioat valve mounted in said frame below said valve seat, said float valve being freely movable in all directions in said frame, and a pin extending transversely through the lower portion of said frame below said float valve and serving to limit the downward movement of said iloat valve.

5. A valve assembly unit for well points, comprising a tubular frame having an axial passage therethrough and having openings in opposite sides thereof which extend substantially about the frame, the upper portion of the frame constituting a valve seat, a ball oat valve mounted in said frame below said seat, said ball float valve being freely movable axially and laterally in said frame, and a pin extending transversely through the lower portion of said frame below said ball oat valve and serving to support said float valve in spaced relation to its seat, and when so supported, to displace said float valve laterally towards one side of the frame with a portion of said ball float valve received by one of the openings in the side of the frame,

6. In a well point, ajetting and suction conduit,

a tubular head surrounding the lower extremity of said jetting and suction conduit and extended below the same, a Valve seat disposed within the head in axially spaced relation to the lower end of the conduit, a float valve disposed below said seat within said head andfree to move axially and laterally within said head, and means oiset to one side` of the axis of che head for-nmiting the axial Vmovement of said float valve and for dis,-V

placing said float-valve laterally towards one side means for well points, comprising a tubular mem-` ber having an axial passage therethrough and adapted to be inserted in and securedto the lower end of the well point, Vthe lower edge of said tubu. lar member being serrated and the wall of said tubularmember being provided 'withV openings therein extending substantially about the same, leaving relatively narrow web-like arms uniting the upper and lower portions ofthe member, the upper portion of said tubular member constituting a valve seat, and the intermediate portion a valve cage. Y

8. Awell point tip comprising anrouter tubular shell, a valve assembly unit mounted in the lower Vend of said shell and including a tubular frame havingran axial passage therethrough, Va ring valveY normally adapted to rest ,on the upper end of said frame in overhanging relation to thel axial passage through the frame, and being freely shiftable axially inthe tubular shell towards and away from said frame, a float valve mounted in said framefand'adapted tov freely move therein towards and away from a position closing the axial passage through the frame, and a pin below the Vloat valve and. extending transversely throughrthe frame andthe tubularY shell,rsaid pin being offset to one side of the axis of' the axial passage through the frame, Vand .constituting means for fastening the frame to the shell and for supporting theiioat valve when the latterV is in an open position' as ,respects the passage through the frame.

V9. In a wellV point, the combination with Ya tubular shell, of a tubularvsoil-penetrating member partially insertedrin the lower end of the shell and provided with a lengthwise passage therethrough and a valve seat surrounding the passage, a float valve loosely mounted in said member below said seat, and means for holding said member and shell in xed relationysaid last named means comprising a p-in 4extending transversely through said shell and member in oiset relation tothe diameter of said passage, and constituting means for limiting movement of said valve, and for displacing said valve laterally' so asl tofleave the passage substantially unobstructed.

l0. A valve assembly unit for well points, comprising a tubular frame having an axial passage therethrough, the upper portion of said frame Yconstituting a valve seat, a float valve mounted in said frame below said valve seat, said float val-ve comprising a'ball having a wood centerand an outer resilient covering, and said ba-ll being freely movable in said frame, and a pin extend- Ying transversely through the lower portion of said frame below said ball float valve, said pin being offset toone side of the center of said am'al passage, and serving to limit the downward movement of said float valve and to displace said iiroat stantial size at th-eother side of the center of Y 

